Recent reports hinted that Maserati's new Ghibli sedan was to be the next model in the marque's current product offensive, and while early Ghibli development cars have been previously spied wearing modified Quattroporte bodies, these are the first shots of a fully-fledged prototype. Maserati engineers have seemingly camouflaged the test mule as an old Quattroporte. The giveaway that we're looking at the baby Maser is its length, appearing considerably shorter than the Quattroporte test cars previously caught on film, most notably in the rear doors.

Codenamed M157, the Ghibli will cross swords with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF in an expanded portfolio. Beneath the sheet metal, some have projected that the Ghibli will be based on the Chrysler 300, while others suggest a modified version of the QP's platform. As for the powertrain, the turbocharged V6 that debuted in the new Quattroporte is expected to serve as the Ghibli's base engine, with V8 and diesel engines potentially to join the line-up, driving to all four wheels. Production is expected to take place at the old Bertone plant, allowing Modena to focus on the GranTurismo and Quattroporte.